Keeping Employees Engaged Before the Year Ends

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, there are many distractions ahead that can taint your employees’ motivation. Though the holidays are usually a welcome time of cheer, they may be a source of stress that can keep an employee from being productive. Here are some suggestions on how to get your employees back on their feet and motivated to finish out the year strong.

Team Activities

Get your team together after work for a holiday happy hour. Let them get to know each other outside of the office and build strong relationships with one another. These relationships will carry over into the office for the better. When you have a team that maintains good relationships, there will be no internal struggles during the work day.

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition in the office around this time of year either. Set a reasonable goal for your employees to obtain. When they hit their goal, give them a prize they will all enjoy. Maybe a party or celebration at work will be in order.

Celebrate at Work

Take a break around lunch or after work to celebrate employee accomplishments, as well as the holidays at the end of the year. Have everyone from the office bring a special treat to share with one another, and let your employees mingle and get away from the computers for a moment. This will give your team a break to unwind and enjoy each other so they will be refreshed when they get back to working.

You could even host a gift exchange for your workers if you so please. This is another fun way for your employees to step away and enjoy each other. Your workers moral will increase with a nice break from the typical day, resulting in better productivity.

Recognize Accomplishments

At any point in the year, employees love to be recognized for their hard work. It is especially important to do so at the end of the year, so you can both see the progress they have made. This can be done at the office, during a holiday party, or some other time after work.

One idea is to write personalized letters to your employees to show you are thankful. This is a great way to demonstrate that you are appreciative for all they do and all the hours they put into your business. They will be grateful that you took the time to show your thankfulness to them on an individual basis.

You could also give your employees special incentives such as a longer lunch or a flexible schedule, so they can spend a little extra time with their families during the holiday season.

Conclusion

The end of year can be a trying time for an employer. Employees are typically less motivated towards the end of the year due to holiday stress, family stress, scattered schedules and time off. It’s important to keep the office environment positive and fresh during this time. Hopefully these tips will aid in keeping your employees motivated and productive into the new year.